Review by Rio
Manga School with Selena Lin: Draw Your Own Manga does just as it says – it’s a fast, info-filled 128 pages of instruction on how to draw your own manga.The book starts off with a manga introduction. A bit cheesy for older readers but the younger crowd would probably get a chuckle out of it. The manga is a mix of hand drawn images and pictures of Selena Lin mixed in within each panel. Pictures of Lin are also scattered throughout the book offering tips and tricks.
The bulk of the book is in black and white but starts in color and ends in color. Each chapter is broken down into specific topics which may last a page or two or possibly more depending on the subject. Each topic is then displayed in easy-to-follow numbered images and text. This is prevalent throughout the book making Manga School one of the neatest and easiest to follow drawing books in my opinion. It’s also packed full of information and with it’s shoujo-style art; kid-friendly. Lin ends the book with a gallery and a tutorial on how to do a watercolor artwork. Not exactly related to making manga such as making hand-drawn sound effects or making your own tones but it’s nice to see none-the-less for those interested in making pin up colored artwork.
As this book practically covers all the essential manga making information you need, some may find it goes too quickly but others may appreciate it’s quick and up-to-the point presentation. What this book doesn’t waste time on is anatomy tutorials but I think you can find that topic covered in practically every other How to Draw Manga book out there.
This book is a fine fit for anyone interested in learning how to make their own manga. It may be for young readers and up with beginning to intermediate skill levels at most. It’s an easy read and if you can get your hands on one, a nice investment.
Manga School with Selena Lin: Draw Your own Manga
by Selena Lin
#9781427810236
color
128 pp
MSRP $14.99
Lesson One: Manga Drawing Tools and Supplies
Assorted Tools and Supplies
How to Use Dip Pens
Types of Paper: Their Guides and Usages
Do-It-Yourself Manga Paper
Screentone Sheets
Inks and Effects
Lesson Two: Getting Ready to Draw
Creating a Story
Characters and Personalities
Character Wordrobe and Accessories
Paneling
Paneling Tips
Creating a Rough Draft
Lesson Three: Creating Finished Work
Drawing Panels
Inking
Drawing Effects
Applying Screentone
Scraping
More Ways to Use Screentone
Corrections and Highlights
Favorite Tones
Dialogue Balloon Tips
Writing Dialogue on Tracing Paper
Computer Graphics: The Basics
Computer Graphics: Scanning
Computer Graphics: Creating Screentones
Computer Graphics: Screentone Settings
Computer Graphics: Toning
Computer Graphics: Scraping
Computer Graphics: Dialogue
Lesson Four: Special Techniques for Manga Creators
Hair Colors
Hairstyles
Filling in Blacks and Coloring Dark Hair
Tips on Drawing Folds
Texture and Tones
Facial Expressions
Manga Character Proportions
Human Proportions: The Wooden Mannequin
Chibi Versions
Chibi Expressions Mix ‘n’ Match
Composition
Where the Characters Are Looking
Drawing Backgrounds
Drawing Backgrounds from Photos
Points of Emphasis
Hand-Drawn text Effects
Lesson Five: Coloring
Preparation
Preparing Your Tools
Skin and Facial Tones
Hair
Clothes
Eyes
Selena’s Gallery
Hidden
Love in a Diary
Missing You
Lavender Memories
Orange
Party
Sakura Fairy
Dance of the World
Reflections
Together in Admiration
An Angel’s Christmas Eve
Practice Drawing Your Own Manga
